Best Flowers to Plant to Save Bees – Including Lavender and Sunflowers
Bees are vital as they pollinate our food and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Some flowers can really help them thrive.
This year’s summer in the UK has been quite unpredictable, which has left some flowers and insects struggling. For bees, a foraging bumblebee is only ever about 40 minutes from starvation. Factors like climate change, pesticides, habitat loss, and even invasive Asian hornets migrating to the UK mean bees are more endangered than ever.
Thankfully, budding gardeners across the country can give bees an extra helping hand by tending to their garden. By growing flowers bees love, this can provide them with extra food and shelter if they can’t quite make it back to their hive before the rain begins. As such, the nature experts at Faith In Nature have shared the five best flowers Brits can plant in their gardens to help bees thrive.
**1. Lavender**
Although native to drier, warmer climates than ours, lavender can thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil in UK gardens. With its fragrant, all-summer-long flowers, this aromatic plant is a big hit with bees, especially bumblebees. Lavender’s fragrant, long-lasting blooms give up a constant flow of nectar all summer long.
**2. Sunflowers**
Grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for as many bees as possible. Bold, lofty sunflowers are instantly cheering and simple to grow from seed. The big ‘flowers’ are actually a cluster of small flowers, attracting pollinators with UV light. Grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for many bees.
**3. Crocuses (and Snowdrops)**
One of the first flowers to blossom in spring, crocuses provide vital early pollen for bees emerging from winter hibernation. Crocuses and snowdrops offer more than just pollen; bees will sometimes shelter overnight inside the flowers. Plant bulbs with next year’s early bird bees in mind.
**4. Heather**
Brimming with nectar and pollen, heather is beneficial for bees. Heather thrives in sandy, acidic soil and requires a bright, sunny spot. Growing these precious plants in your garden could give bees a real boost.
**5. Cornflowers**
Vivid blue cornflowers attract bees with their nectar. They are simple to grow, making them perfect for first-time gardeners and experienced alike. Cornflowers prefer soil with good drainage and thrive best in full sun.
Faith In Nature’s research found that two in five people say they know what to do if they see a dehydrated bee. Bees require water to control the temperature in their hives, so set up water sources that bees can access safely. Avoid using pesticides to ensure bees don’t come into contact with harmful chemicals. Leave weeds like dandelions and clovers to provide extra food sources for bees.
By planting these bee-friendly flowers and following simple steps to make your garden safe for bees, you can play a part in supporting these crucial pollinators.